Former champion Eric Ortiz triumphs after late stoppage

Early in the 11th, Ortiz stalked Perez toward a corner and staggered him with a right uppercut and left to the head. Perez remained motionless and seemingly out on his feet when the referee stepped in and stopped the junior-bantamweight bout 24 seconds into the round.

Ortiz has won two consecutive bouts since losing his title to Brian Viloria in 2005 and also falling in a title fight against Ulises Solis last year.

Ortiz (26-6-1, 17 KOs) pressured the taller Perez from the opening rounds and was effective at scoring lead lefts to Perez's head. Ortiz also landed overhand rights to his opponents head.

But the bout also featured warnings from the referee when both fighters landed several shots below the belt.

Ortiz enjoyed a strong seventh round as he landed left hooks and rights to Perez's head. Ortiz maintained the attack throughout the round, keeping Perez on the defensive.

Perez recovered with strong eighth and ninth rounds as he landed effectively with rights to Ortiz's head. Late in the ninth, the action intensified with Ortiz and Perez trading combinations to the head at a furious pace.